| Code | SE.XPD.TOTL.GB.ZS |
| Indicator Name | Government expenditure on education, total (% of government expenditure) |
| Short definition | General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments. |
| Long definition | General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments. |
| Source | Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources, note: The data are obtained through the UIS API. Detailed documentation is available at: https://api.uis.unesco.org/api/public/documentation/, publisher: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), date accessed: 2025-09-22, date published: 2025-09 |
| Topic | Education: Inputs |
| Dataset | WDI |
| Unit of measure | % of government expenditure |
| Periodicity | Annual |
| Reference period | 1972-2023 |
| Aggregation method | Median |
| Statistical concept and methodology | Methodology: Expenditure on education, total (% of government expenditure) is calculated by dividing total government expenditure on education by the total government expenditure on all sectors and multiplying by 100. Aggregate data are based on World Bank estimates.
Information regarding educational expenditures is obtained from national governments through their responses to the annual survey on formal education conducted by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The data provided for this questionnaire often originates from the annual financial reports of the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Education, or from the national accounts compiled by the National Statistical Office. Additionally, comprehensive data on general government expenditure across all sectors are sourced from the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) World Economic Outlook database, which undergoes an annual update.
Statistical concept(s): A greater allocation of government funds towards education reflects a significant emphasis on educational priorities in comparison to other public sector investments. It is important to consider, however, that the capacity of governments to spend varies, resulting in differing budget sizes. Additionally, demographic factors such as the age distribution within a country can influence the proportion of spending on education versus other areas like health or social security. |
| Development relevance | Investment in education serves as a driving force for economic growth, enhancement of productivity, and the promotion of individual and collective prosperity. This indicator is instrumental in evaluating the extent to which a government prioritizes education, whether over time or in relation to other nations. Furthermore, it reflects the government's dedication to the investment in human capital development. |
| Limitations and exceptions | Data on government expenditure on education may refer to spending by the ministry of education only (excluding spending on educational activities by other ministries). In addition, definitions and methods of data on total general government expenditure may differ across countries. |
| License URL | https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by |
| License Type | CC BY-4.0 |
| |